First-time candidate Alex Fabian campaigned on pledge of transparency to land spot on Davison City Council

DAVISON, Michigan — Alex Fabian, 39, a laid off sheet metal worker, campaigned on a pledge to bring transparency and accountability to the City Council.

He said he canvassed the city of 5,000 distributing cards calling for a "Time for Change" on a five-point program that touched on some of the charges against the four council members who were ousted in the Nov. 2 recall election.

View full sizeJoseph Tobianski | The Flint JournalNewly elected mayor Tim Bishop , left, shakes Alex Fabian's hand, right, congratulating each other for their victory in the election at Davison City Hall on Tuesday evening. Fabian has been out near the polls since 7 a.m. and it was his first time running for public office.

Fabian, who was at the polls from opening to close on Tuesday, said council members should listen to residents before "voting on changes that may be detrimental to our city." The recalled council members were accused of rescinding ordinances without public input and with ignoring a citizen petition calling for a 45-day moratorium on repealing ordinances.

After election results were announced, the first-time candidate said he was not surprised that he was one of two candidates to win a term expiring in November 2013.

"We worked hard," he said before getting on his cellphone to let his family know that he was now a city councilman.

City Clerk Andrea Schroeder said the new council members will be sworn into office on March 7.